Nitish Reddy pauses presser mid-way to answer mother's call at Dharamsala
Synopsis
Mid-presser, Nitish Kumar Reddy paused to tell his mother in Telugu 'I'll call you in five minutes' — and the internet melted. The moment, shared by the BCCI, captured something rarely seen at elite press conferences: a 23-year-old cricketer choosing his mother over the microphone, even briefly.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar Reddy paused his post-match press conference at Dharamsala on 14 June to answer a call from his mother.
He told her in Telugu : 'Amma nenu malli chesthanu, five minutes' ('Mom, I'll call you again in five minutes').
The BCCI shared the video with the caption: 'The post-match presser can wait but a call from Mom simply cannot.' Reddy had earlier taken 2 for 31 , dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi to help restrict Afghanistan to 194 .
Captain Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls to seal a seven-wicket win with 13 balls to spare.
India lead the ODI series 1-0 .
Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy became an unlikely social media sensation on 14 June after pausing his post-match press conference at Dharamsala to take a phone call from his mother — a moment that resonated deeply with cricket fans across the country. The incident unfolded after India's convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the rain-curtailed first ODI at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium.
The Moment That Stopped the Presser
While the 23-year-old was fielding questions from reporters about his performance, his mobile phone — placed beside the broadcast microphones — began to ring. Without hesitation, Reddy picked up the call, politely telling the assembled media: 'Sorry, I have to pick this.'
He then briefly switched to his mother tongue, Telugu, telling his mother: 'Amma nenu malli chesthanu, five minutes' — meaning 'Mom, I'll call you again in five minutes' — before promptly returning to the press conference.
BCCI Shares the Video, Fans React
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the clip on social media, captioning it: 'The post-match presser can wait but a call from Mom simply cannot.' The video quickly went viral, drawing an outpouring of affection from fans.
Responses flooded in from supporters, with one fan writing, 'The real captain of every player's life: Mom.' Another commented, 'A true pro knows priorities. Mom > mic every time.' A third simply noted, 'The world can wait... Priorities matter.'
Reddy's Performance on the Field
The heartwarming moment came on the back of a disciplined bowling display. Reddy finished with figures of 2 for 31, claiming the crucial wickets of Afghanistan's explosive centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, helping India restrict the visitors to 194.
In the chase, India captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a composed 84 not out off 66 balls, studded with 11 fours and 2 sixes, guiding India to the target with 13 balls to spare.
What This Says About Reddy
The gesture, small as it was, underscored why the young Hyderabad-born all-rounder has built a loyal following since his emergence on the international stage. Notably, this is not the first time Reddy's off-field demeanour has drawn as much attention as his on-field contributions — a reflection of the human side of modern Indian cricket that fans increasingly connect with. The series against Afghanistan continues, with India holding a 1-0 lead.
Point of View
But it also signals something worth noting about how Indian cricket markets its stars. The BCCI's swift, well-captioned social share was not accidental — it is part of a deliberate effort to humanise a young squad that has sometimes struggled to connect beyond performance metrics. Reddy, still carving out his international identity, benefits from moments like these as much as from his wickets. The risk, of course, is that the viral warmth overshadows the harder question: whether he is cementing his place in a competitive middle-order as a genuine match-winner, or whether the feel-good narrative is running ahead of the numbers.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitish Kumar Reddy pause his press conference?
Nitish Kumar Reddy briefly paused his post-match press conference in Dharamsala on 14 June to answer a phone call from his mother. He politely told reporters 'Sorry, I have to pick this' before speaking to her in Telugu and returning to the media interaction within moments.
What did Nitish Reddy say to his mother during the press conference?
Reddy told his mother in Telugu: 'Amma nenu malli chesthanu, five minutes' — which translates to 'Mom, I'll call you again in five minutes.' He then quickly resumed his press conference.
How did the BCCI respond to the moment?
The BCCI shared a video of the incident on social media, captioning it: 'The post-match presser can wait but a call from Mom simply cannot.' The clip went viral and drew widespread praise from cricket fans.
How did Nitish Reddy perform in the India vs Afghanistan first ODI?
Reddy took 2 wickets for 31 runs in the rain-curtailed first ODI at Dharamsala, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi to help restrict Afghanistan to 194. India won the match by seven wickets.
What was the result of the India vs Afghanistan first ODI in Dharamsala?
India won the first ODI by seven wickets, chasing down 194 with 13 balls to spare. Captain Shubman Gill top-scored with an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes.
